Pakistan not to recall envoy to India

Pakistan on Friday decided not to recall its envoy to India in response to the Indian decision to call back its high commissioner in Islamabad, Pakistan Television said.

India had decided, earlier on Friday, to recall its envoy to Pakistan citing the failure of the Pakistan government to take action against Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, said to be responsible for the December 13 attack on Parliament.

A Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman said that it was important to keep all channels of communication open in the 'present tense situation'.

The statement followed a high-level meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar

Describing the India decision as 'regrettable', the spokesman said the suspension of train and bus services would severely 'hamper the people desirous of travelling between the two countries, as well as affect trade'.

The spokesman also said that the Indian government has persistently turned down Pakistan's offer of a joint inquiry into the true motives and identities of the perpetrators of the terrorist attack.

He finally said that Pakistan would persevere in its policy of restraint and would continue to work for the lowering of tensions with India.